Pipe deforming machine



June 12, 1951 B. STOUDT 87 PIPE DEF'ORMING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 r-eom Z55 compasse- IN EN TOR. iii/$64517 $10027 June 12, 1951 B, STOUDT 2,556,987

PIPE DEFORMING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 v a f E 3 E "I if 1/ z I ZZZ Z5 5 Z4 3 7 a Z; 1 Z2 l INVENTOR.

June 12, 1951 B. STOUDT PIPE DEFORMING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 10, 1949 f ,4 K" N 1 I? x w 4r H L I 7 AWN/A m WM I JW/I I W p0- fl fi W L June 12, 1951 B. s'rouDT 2,556,987 PIPE DEFORMING M HINE I Filed Dec. 10, 1949 7 sh'ets shaet 4 INVENTOR. iii/V450 76022 June 12, 1951 a. STOUDT PIPE DEFORMING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 10, 1949 W M m we r m W m g MN WW n @M June 12, 1951 B. STQUDT I PIPE DEFORMING max-NE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 10, 1949 INVENTOR. 512M479 $700302" flfTOfi/K June 12, 1951 B. s-roum' 2,556,987

PIPE DEFORMING momma Filed Dec. 10, 1949 T Sheets-Sheet '7 1% f5 1632 5' iii 19! I N V EN TOR. 355F450 $700127 vv js- Patented June 12, T951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE DEFORMING MACHINE Bernard Stoudt, Valley Stream, N. Y., assig'nor to Ames Spot Welder (30., Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 1-0, 1949, Serial No. 132,248

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to welding machines, and broadly the main object is the provision of a machine having means for first applying pressure between opposed jaw-like electrode dies against two objects to be welded together, with a suitable spacer or former positioned between the objects or work pieces so as to depress mutually opposed portions of the surfaces of the objects and thereby leave mutually opposed bulges on the objects constituting the undepressed areas, and means for removing the former after separating the jaws, and means for then applying pressure against the jaws to restore them to their mutual position of maximum closesness in the above pressing operation and further applying further pressure and moving the jaws still closer together to overcome the space left by removal of the said former thereby bringing the said opposed bulges into mutual contact, the welding circuit being closed during the latter operation and maintained closed for an interval of time terminating while the latter pressure remains applied so that the said bulges, now pliable because of the heating caused by the welding current will become fiattened and the two objects will be not only firmly united through the welds but will also be positioned very close together or in actual contact with each other.

One application of the machine of this invention consists in welding together, in the manner above indicated, of two tubes positioned side by side, and this application is pertinent in the manufacture of tubular furniture.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine embodying the means above mentioned, having a plurality of suitably spaced and positioned pairs of electrode dies and a suitable plurality of formers, whereby the complete tubular frame of a chair or other article of furniture may be manufactured from three pre-shaped tubular parts or sections in a single progressive and rapid sequence of operations. A single operator working at the machine may thus turn out a large quantity of completed chair frames in a shortinterval of time.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of suitable air or fluid operated cylinders and accessories including controls, as well as suitable electrical appliances, switches, and connections, to effectively enable the machine to function in the desired manner to attain the desired ends.

The above broad as well as additional and more specific objects will be clarified inthe following description wherein characters of reference refer to like-numbered parts on the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that the drawings are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that it is therefore. neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all details of construction shown or described except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the invention. As an example, whatever insulation is illustrated or described herein is presented merely to enable the welding currents to flow through the electrode dies without becoming short-circuited, as any suitable insulating means may be provided in any desired way at any suitable points of the structure, to attain this end.

Referring briefly to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine, with parts omitted, showing the pre-shaped parts of a tubular chair frame inserted therein, in the operation of forming bulges on the opposed surfaces of those sections of the frame which are to be welded together.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with parts omitted.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the tubular frame of a chair as it appears when the three separate parts thereof have been welded together in the instant machine.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the air pressure system used in conjunction with the operation of the machine.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing the electrode dies in spaced relationship prior to instituting the initial action of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1, showing the electrode dies after they have been brought to bear against the two tubes about to be welded together, with the former above mentioned positioned between the tubes.

Fig. '8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 8, with the former removed and not shown.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the former plate,

,also showing fragmentarily its support.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the positions of the various parts of the machine at the completion of or during the welding op- 3 eration on the two tubes, the former plate shown in Fig. 7 between the tubes having been withdrawn and lowered out of the way.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12, showing the above-mentioned mutually opposed bulges on the two tubes in mutual contact and welded together.

Fig. 14 is a view taken on the line l4lfl of Fig. 3, showing the two tubes after completion of the final operation of applying continuous pressure to bear against the tubes after the welding has been completed and thereby leveling out the welded bulges and closely juxtaposing. the two tubes in, or practically in, linear contact.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on the line I5l5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing at the top the lower portion of Fig. 2 and continuing downward therefrom to show the remainder of the machine below that part shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on the line lL-ll of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view, with parts broken away and partly in section, of the floor of the machine, shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7, and particularly showing the cradle block or casting in which the lower ends of the electrode die carrying arms are pivotally mounted.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the linkage connecting one of the pressure actuated rods with its corresponding electrode die carrying rocker arm.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 2920 of Fig. 1, with parts broken away and partly in section, showing the air control and regulating means.

Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken on the line 2l-2I of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a wiring diagram illustrating in simplified form the electrical circuits which may be used to operate the machine.

Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken on the line 2323 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 2424 of Fig. 1, with parts broken away and partly in section.

Fig. 25 is a sectional view taken on'the line 25-25 of Fig. 4, showing the pressure changer in normal position with its micro switch closed.

Fig. 26 is a sectional view taken on the line 26- -26 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 27 is a view similar to Fig.'25, showing the pressure changer in its other position wherein its microswitch is open.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral IE! indicates the frame of the machine, which includesthe vertical supports or walls I l, the platform i2 at the top and the floor [3 at the bottom, the whole being supported on beams or the like M. The platform [2 is provided with suitable openings l5 therethrough, the drawings showing four such openings, for the passage of the various arms and rods forming part of the machine, as will be presently set forth.

The floor !3 has a longitudinal opening I8 there-through, whose opposed longitudinal walls are provided with grooves ll. Platforms 18 have their opposed edges slidably registering in the grooves ii, and each platform I8 is composed of two separate co-planar plates l9 separated by a space or slot 25. An I-shaped rail 2l hasthe mutually adjacent edges of each pair of plates 19.

4 as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. The rail 2| is fixed at its ends to the machine frame, as, for instance, to the supporting beams 14. At both ends and at the midpoint of the rail, rigid uprights 22 are mounted and are supported; these uprights contain aligned bearings supporting a worm shaft 23 provided on one end with a right-hand thread and on the other end with a left-hand thread, a hand wheel 24 being rigid with one end of the shaft. Near the mutually adjacent edges of the platform It, each platform 18 has rigidly secured thereon, as by rivets or bolts 26, a casting 25, shown as a unit in Fig. 18. Each casting 25 comprises a pair of spaced channels 27 and 21a positioned side by side and rigidly joined by end walls 28 which are positioned directly above the slot 20 between the plates IS. The walls 28 of the right-hand (Fig. 17) casting 25 are provided with suitably threaded holes 2 9 to accommodate the right-hand side of the worm 23, and the walls 28 of the left-hand casting 25 are likewise provided with suitably threaded holes 29 to accommodate theleft-hand side of the worm 23. It is thus apparent that as the hand wheel 24 is turned one way or the other. the platforms 48 are brought closer together or moved more widely apart. This provides an adjustment to adapt the machine to the welding together of the tubular frame sections of chairs or other articles of furniture of varying widths, as will become apparent hereinafter.

The opposed walls of each channel 21' and 21a are provided with longitudinally spaced pairs of aligned holes 30 with that pair of holes 30 nearer the center support 22 supporting a pin 3 l and the other such pair of holes supporting a pin 32. Each and every hole 39 is provided with a suitable bearing 30a of insulating material. The castings 25 are positioned, as is apparent from Figs. 16 and 1'7, with the channel'ZT of the casting on the right-hand side in alignment with the channel 27 on the left-hand side, and also with the channel 2la on the right-hand side in alignment with the channel 21a on the left-hand side. The pins 3! and 32 are identical.

Each pin 3! is rigid in the bottom of an approximately upright rocker arm 33, there being, obviously, four such rocker arms. On that side of each rocker arm 33 adjacent the transverse median line of the frame I0 (which can readily be pictured on Fig. 1), an angle 34 is secured to the platform l2 of the frame at the edge of the corresponding opening i5. Integral with the opposed vertical edges of the upright wing of the angle 34 are a pair of parallel arms 35 which extend past and engage the sides of the rocker 33, as shown in Figs. 5 and '23.' A bolt 36 joins the extremities of the arms 35. A block 3? is secured to the rocker 33, as shown, between the arms 35, and a compression spring 38. normally urges the rocker 33 against the bolt 36. Thus. movement of the rocker 33 to the left, Fig. 5,, L;v limited and is resisted by the spring 38. Obviously any other suitable means. mounted on the platform l2. or at any other suitable part of the machine, may be provided in place of that just described to serve the purpose of thus limiting and resisting or cushioning such movemnt of the rocker 33..

At its upper end each rocker 33 is provided with an electrode die, 39 having a semi-cylindrical gauge 40 formed in the face thereof. .The dies 39, as illustrated, are wider than their respective arms. 33. Each die 39 is provided with a slot 4| therethrough extending fromv the top to the. bottom of the die, and a screw 42 passing through this slot into the rocker 33 secures the die to the rocker in such fashion that the die is free both to swing on the screw asa pivot and to slide through the distance permitted by the slot 4|. A block 43 has a lower bolt 44 securing it to the rocker 33, this block extending upward beyond the top of the rocker 33 and its upper end serves as a backing for the die 39 with the rear wall of which the block is in contact. A threaded opening 45 extends through the block 43 near the top thereof and receives a set screw 45 which serves to push the die to the right, Fig. 5, when the die becomes worn through use.

Mounted on each pin 32 is a second rocker arm 47 which has a complementary die 48 identical to the die 39, secured thereon by a similar screw 42 passing through a similar slot 4| therein. A rigid plate 43 is secured by any suitable means such as, for example, screws 55, against the back of the rocker 4! near the upper end thereof and extending above the top of the rocker and serving as a backing for the die 43. A set screw 5i serves to move the die 43 forward, when necessary owing to wear, in the same manner as the set screw 46 for the die 33. A substantially semi-cylindrical bearing 52 is provided in the lower end of the plate 49. A second rigid plate or arm 53, substantially longer than the plate 49, is positioned as shown in Fig. 5 adjacent the plate 40 and is provided with a substantially semi-cylindrical extension 54 registering in the bearing 52. The extension 54 is provided with pin-like end extensions 55 which register in aligned openings in the ends of the arms of a yoke 56 which is secured, as by bolts 57, to the rocker 4?. Thus the plate 53 is free to rock on its fulcrum 5d, 52. A set screw 58 passes loosely through an opening 50a through the top of the plate 53 and registers in a threaded opening 59a in the plate 49. Thus the screw 58 serves to limit movement of the upper end of the plate 53 in a clockwise direction, Fig. 5, and it may also assist the set screw 5| in positioning the die 48 to the left of the position of this die shown in Fig. 5.

Mounted on the plate 53 near the lower end thereof, or formed integrally therewith substantially as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, is an approximately horizontal cylinder 59 having a block or piston 63 slidable therein. An air inlet channel Bl extends through the plate 53 into the cylinder 59, and an air hose 52 connects with the said channel; the outer (right-hand) end of this cylinder is open. A yoke 63 secured, as by screws 54, to the rocker 4'3, has a pin 65 through the ends of its arms spaced from the rocker 41. The cylinder 59 is provided with diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 56 in its outer end. The pin 65 passes through, and is immovable with respect to, the piston so and it registers in the slots 56. It is apparent that when air under pressure enters the cylinder 59 through the hose 62, the lower end of the plate 53 will be forced to the left (Figs. 5 and 6) and hence the upper end of the plate 53 will swing to the right on its fulcrum 54, 5'2.

Mounted by means of its insulated base Bl resting on and secured in position by any suitable means, not shown, the mutually adjacent upright walls of the two channels 21 of each casting 25, intermediate the length of said walls, as shown in Figs. 5, 16 and 17, is a vertical cylinder 68 having at its bottom an air inlet 69 to which an air hose I0 is connected. The piston ll of the cylinder 68 has an elongated rod 12 extending upward and provided on its upper extremity with a fork 13. A preshaped horizontal spacer oi former plate 14 is supported in the fork 73. In the example shown for the particular application of the machine herein set forth, the spacer M has a pair of spaced rectangular cutouts T5 in its upper edge. It is apparent that upon application of air pressure to the cylinder 58 its piston and hence the rod 72 will rise to the positions thereof shown in Fig. 5, thus positioning the former it as shown. A tension spring 15 having one end attached to an insulated plate 71 also bridging the same two walls of the channel 2'! and having its other end secured to the arm 12 intermediate the length of the latter, normally urges the arm 12 downward and, of course, to swing to the left. However, an L-shaped extension from the yoke 33, shown at l8 in Figs. 5 and 6, prevents the rod 12 from swinging out of substantially vertical position. The extension 18 may also be provided with a lining of insulation 18a.

A journal W, as shown in Fig. 5, is formed half in the rocker 33 and the complementary half in the block 43 near the upper end of the rocker 33, and a pin 39 registers in this journal. Link arms 8! have the extremities of the pin 83 registering in one end thereof. The linkage now being described is shown in perspective in Fig. 19. A pair of hell cranks 83, each composed of two arms ill and 83, are connected at one end on the ends of a pivot pin 85 housed in a sleeve 85 and passing through the ends of the arms 58, the sleeve 85 having integral therewith an internally threaded extension 85. Each bell crank arm 8"? is formed in the fashion of a yoke having the two arms 89 and 53, the latter being longer than the former. The other end of each link 8! has a hole Bla therethrough containing a bearing 32a of insulating material. A pin 82 through the hole em pivotally connects each link 8| with one of the short arms 33. A block 9! of insulating material, having a journal 52 therethrough, is pivotally mounted between the ends of the arms 93 by means of a pin 93 passing through the journal 92 and supported in the arms 93. Screws 55 pass through the block 3! and secure it rigidly to the plate 53 near the upper end of the latter.

The stem 86 is screwed on the upper end of a piston rod 95 extending from the piston 95 of an approximately vertical air cylinder 3?. The lower end of this cylinder is pivotally mounted at 98 on a pedestal 99 bolted to its appropriate floor plate I9. An air inlet i383 is provided at the upper end of this cylinder, with an air hose )2 coupled thereto, and a second inlet lfii is provided at the lower end of the cylinder with an air hose 33 coupled thereto. A coiled spring I04 surrounds the rod 35 between cylinder 91 and a collar 35 fixed to the rod.

The air control standard of the mach ne is shown in Figs. 20, 21 and 24. This comprises a tube lllfi positioned on the platform Fl s. l and 2, over an opening is? through the platform through which the necessary air hoses pass. An upright plate or the like H18 extends diametrically from the top of the tube i551, and supported on top of this plate with its axis transverse to the plane of the plate, is a semi-cylindrical block I99. A transverse cylindrical rocker H9 is pivotally mounted in the complementary recess H3 of the block [39 by having its axial shaft H2 supported in opposed plates H4 which are secured in any desired manner on the outer sides of the block I09. An operating lever Ill extends from the rocker III]. A roller. H is mounted. on

an eccentric pin II;6. near the periphery of the rocker III]. sothat the roller extends beyond the periphery of the rocker in the manner of a cam, the roller being positioned diametrically opposite the handle III. The block IE3 is pro.- videdon each side of the plane, through the plate I68 with three spaced radial passages I 58 therethrough in which identical stems. H9 and I26 are slidably mounted. The stems on one, side of the said plane are indicated. by the numeral H9 and those on theother side by the, numeral I20, this distinction being made to facilitate subsequent clarification of the operation of, the machine. Each stem H9 and I26 constitutes an extension of the valve stem of a simple air valve; the stems II9 thus extend from valves i2I, I22 and I23, and the stems I20 thus extend from identical valves I2Ia, IZZa, and I23a.

Only one valve, I22, is broken away to show its interior construction, showing the stem, IIQ as an elongation of the valve stem Hi, and it is obvious therefrom that in the position shown in Fig. 20 the valve is unseated to permit air flow in the direction or" the arrows from the inlet hose out through the outlet hose i28 because the stem H9 is depressed by the roller IE5 in the position of the handle iii shown in full lines. It is obvious that when the handle is turned in either direction through an arc suiiicient to remove the roller H5 from contact with the top of the pin Iis valve E22 will automatically be reseated or closed owing to the force of the usual compression spring I259, with which each of the six valves mentioned is provided. Spring-actuated balls and complementary sockets, shown generically at I25, are provided in standard fashion to releasably loci; the block III) in position in each of the three positions of the lever III shown in Fig. 20, and since such i provision is common in the art no detailed description thereof is deemed necessary.

Referring to the air diagram of Fig. 4, the air supply line is shown at I25, having a filter I25 interposed therein, passing through a union I25, then through a control valve I80 and an oiler I3I into the uppermost opening I55 (Figs. 25 and 27) of a pressure changer 532, the latter being shown in section in Figs. 25 and 2'7. A branch E33 leads into a manifold I34. A pipe I35 leads from the intermediate opening Hit of the pressure changer 32 and branches into pipes I35 and I31. From the union E26 a pipe ISiS leads through a valve I38 and a check valve Md to join with the pipe I35 and to continue as a pipe IM connected to the middle opening 22I of one (shown at I 12) of a pair of identical pilot-operated four-way valves I52 and I 53. The pipe I3? leads to the corresponding opening of the other four-way valve hi3.

From the manifold I35 a pipe I21 leads through the valve I22 and exits therefrom as the pipe I28 which has two branches 1&5 and 546 tapped thereinto, whence it continues and leads to two branches It? and Hit. The branch I41 leads into one end of the four-way valve I42 and the branch I 53 leads into the corresponding end of the other four-way valve I63; The branch I 15 leads into the valve- I-E-ia and the branch I46 leads through a check valve i 35 into two branches 1% each leading into one of the cylinders 58. The pipe I6 5 leads out of the valve I2Ia. A branch I553 from the pipe his, tapped thereinto in the position shown, leads into the valve I23a and emerges as, pipe I63; Connect- 8 ing theiot'her ends; of therein-war valves I and; me is; a; pipe; -I 51 having; a p p ta ped thereinto andleading into two branches I53 and IE4. The former leads through a check valve I55 and branches into pipes I56 and. I51. The branch i5}; passes, through the valve I2I whence it emerges as pipe I58 and leads into the mani fold. I341; The pipe I5 branches into pipes; L59 and-16f branch 159 enters valve I22aa and emerges therefrom as, pipe I'fil, andv branch IIiil enters valve I23 and emerges therefrom as pipe 1:52 which leads into, the manifold I34. The pipe I58 passes into the bottom compartment IB 'I of the pressure changer I32.

A. pipe, IE8 connects the bottoms of all four cylinders 91. The pipes I? I, tapped. into the pipe I88: lead to. one pair of corresponding openings I72: in the four-way valve M2; similarly, pipes I59 lead to another pair of corresponding openings H9: in the valve I43. A pressure switch I'M. is tapped into the pipe: I58 by means of a branch I15. A pipe H6 also leads. from the union I261 through a control valve ii? into two branches I18. Each branch I38 again branches into two pipes 622, each of the latter leading. to one of the four welding cylinders 59.

As shown. in Figs. 25 and 27?, the pressure changer I32 comprises a base H3 having a cyliinder I88 upright thereon; a piston rod I8! extends slidably through. a suitable opening in the top of the cylinder. A normally closedmicroswitch I82 is positioned above the cylinder with its operating button I83 in alignment with the upper end of the rod ISI. Internal flanges IBM and iSfll divide the interior of the cylinder into compartments I85, I36- and 3 1. A pistoni88 rigid on the rod IBI is normally urged upward by a compression spring I89. Ports its extend through the flange E8311. A- valve or collar I9I rigid on the rod IBiwithin the compartment I is of smaller diameter than its said compartment but of larger diameter than the diametrical distance between the ports Hit. It is apparent that the length of stroke permitted the rod I8I by the distance between the top of the piston I33 and the flange its limits the longitudinal movement of the collar Eel between the position shown in Fig. 25 wherein it seats on the flange I85 and closes the passage through the opening I92, and the position shown in Fig. 2'7 wherein the collar is positioned intermediate the height of the compartment I86.

Referring to the wiring diagram of Fig. 22, the four inner electrodes are indicated at 39 and the four outer'electrodes at it, in the same relative positions in which they are illustrated in Fig. 1. The supply mains lead through a main switch I93. A lead I85 connects one terminal 5% of the switch with one side of the primary of a transformer I95. The other terminal of the primary leads, through a switch I95 which is further described. below, to the other terminal wt of the main switch W3. A lead 290' running from the terminar Ida-has in series therewith the normally closed microswitch I82 of thepressure changer I32 and also the normally open microswitch 2Iiiof the pressure switch I1 3 previously mentioned; Ehe'latter is a simple bellows operated switch, air under pres sure entering the pipe I15 expanding the hol lows 2&2, to raise theinsulated rod 293 thus closing the switch. Both microswitches IBZ'and 2i" are shown in Fig. 22in elementary schematic circuit-closer or switch form. Upon exhaustion of the air fromthepipe I15 the bellows collapses .a pipe I3! is connected thereto.

and thus opens the switch 2IJI. The lead I94 continues from the switch 20I to one terminal of the motor 204, provided with suitable reduction gears 205, of a time controlled circuit closer unit 256. The latter includes a wheel or disc 201 provided with one or more insulated teeth 2B8 lying in the path of a contactor 209 of the switch I96, which is normally urged upward by a spring 2H] so as to clear the contacts 2I I. As the disc 20'! is rotated by the motor 244, the leading tooth 208 will after a brief interval engage and depress the contactor 229 against the contacts 2H and after a further brief interval that tooth will ride past the contactor to permit the spring 2I0 to again lift the contactor from engagement with the contacts 2II. The other lead 2I2 from themotor 294 goes to the terminal I39 of the main switch. It is to be noted that the time control switch unit 255 is presented merely as an example of a switch or hook-up to provide the desired circuit closing for an interval of time effective after a time interval following the closing of the circuit through the unit, that is, in this case, through the motor 204. It is thus apparent that when all the switches I82, 2m and I95 (all in series with the motor 204) are closed, and only then, will current pass through the welding electrodes 33 and 48.

One of the four-way valves is shown at 242 in Fig. 26, wherein the numeral 2I3 indicates a cylinder having openings 2I4 and 2I5 through the end walls thereof. Internal flanges 2I6 and 2I I divide the cylinder into compartments 2I8, 2| 9 and 223. The opening I'IU passes through the flange H6 and the pipe I59 is connected thereto; a similar opening I12 passes through the flange 2H and the pipe I?! is connected thereto. A middle opening 22I passes through the cylinder wall into the compartment H9 and The pipe I48 is connected to the end opening 2I4 and the pipe II is connected to the other end opening 2I5. A piston rod 222 is slidably mounted in the flange 2I6 and has on its outer end a piston 223 in the compartment 2| 8 and on its inner end a head 224 in the compartment 2I3. Similarly, a rod 225 is slidable in the flange 2I'I, having one end in the compartment 22c provided with the piston 226 and having on its other end in the compartment ZIB, a head 221. An expansion spring 239 normally urges the heads 224 and 221 and hence the rods 222 and 225, apart. Peripherally arranged exhaust ports 232 are provided in the walls of compartment 2I8 adjacent the flange 2 I6, and similar exhaust ports 23I are similarly provided in the wall of compartment 220 adjacent the flange 2I'I. Fig. 26 shows the relative positions of the various parts of the four-way valve when the control handle III is in neutral or second positions, both of which positions are identical.

The machine, as stated, is illustrated in an application thereof to the welding together of hollow tubes, and more particularly to welding into a single unit the component parts of a chair frame. The finished tubular chair frame is shown at 233 in Fig. 3, showing the frame composed of three members or parts 234, 235 and 236, of which members 234 and 236 are identical. The members 234 comprise the upstanding back arms 231, the horizontal intermediate side sections 238, and the front legs 239. The member 235 comprises the rear legs 246, the horizontal side sections 24 I,

and the front frame section. 4 j ining the side 10 sections MI. The members 234 and 235 are all pre-formed or -shaped into the shape shown, prior to welding the side sections 24I to the side sections 238 in the manner to be described.

A raised horizontal support 243 held by a standard 244 mounted on the platform 12, serves to support the back sections 231 of the frame parts 234 and an angle 245 supported on the platform I2 serves'to support the lower ends of the front legs 239. A raised horizontal support 246 on a standard 24! serves to support the front section 242 of the chair frame member 235, and the upturned inner end 241 of the support 246 aids in positioning this member.

Operation of the machine The machine when not in use has the control lever I II in the neutral position shown in Fig. 20, whence only valves I22 and I22a. are open. It may here be stated that the valves I2I, I22 and I23 are all pressure valves adapted to pass air under pressure through or into the machine, for which reason all of these valves bear the legend P in Fig. 4, and that the valves IZIa, um and I23a, all bearing the legend Exh. in Fig. 4, are all exhaust valves adapted to exhaust air from the machine. In this neutral position, high pressure air at, say, 120 lbs, from the supply line I24, flows into the pressure changer I32 (Figs. 4 and 25), holding the plunger of the latter down and keeping switch I82 closed. This air also flows through the manifold I 34 and through valve I22 and thence through pip I28 and branches I41, I48 into the upper (Fig. 4) ports 2I4 of the four-way valves I42 and I43, thus pushing piston 223 to the right (Fig. 26) and closing ports 232. Entering air also passes, through union I 26, along the pipe I38 where it is reduced by the control valve I39 to, say, lbs, and through the check valve I an into branches MI and I36. Through the pipe I36 this air passes through pipe I 31. This low pressure air enters the compartment 2I9 of each four-way valve I42, I43 and pushes the head 22'! (Fig. 26) and its rod 225 to the right thus exhausting compartment 220 and sealing the latter from compartment 2I9. Thus the low pressure air passes out of compartment 2I9 through pipe I69 into the upper ends of the cylinders 3'! thereby drawin the electrode dies or jaws 39 and 48 apart as shown in Fig. 5. High pressure air also passes from valve I22 through pipe I45 into the former plate cylinders 68 to hold the former plates 74 up in the position shown in Fig. 5. The low pressure air also obviously holds the pressure switch I14 open.

The two similar frame sections 234 are then inserted into position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5,

that is, with the front legs resting on the angle 245, with their intermediate horizontal sections positioned as shown adjacent the jaws 39 in the plane of the gauge to, and with the upper ends of the back sections resting against the support 243. Then the frame member 235 is positioned with its rear legs 240 resting on the supports IZa, the side sections positioned adjacent the gauge 40 of the jaw 48 and the front section 242 resting on the support 246, the former plates I4 being positioned between the two tubular frame sections 238 and 24!.

The lever III is then shifted to the right, Fig. 20, to the position marked first, wherein only valves I2I and I2Ia are open and the remaining valves I22, I23, I22a and I23a are closed. In this first position, high pressure air still flows through the pipe I24 into the pressure changer changer I32, and thus high pressure plus the strength of the spring 289 forces the plunger of the pressure changer up thereby opening the switch I82 so that no welding current may pass through the electrodes 39 and it. Also, through the pipe I51, check valve I55, pipes I53, I52, and branches i I this air enters the lower ports (Fig. 4) of the four-way valves I42, I43 (the righthand' end port '2I5, Fig 26). Thus the piston 226 is moved. to the left, closing the ports 23], and likewise moving the head 22? to the left thereby providing passage of air from pipe 43! through pipe Ill and branches I33 to the bottom of the cylinders 91. 'As seen in Fig. 27, the high pressure air entering the pressure changer compartment I85 through pipe I24 and passing through ports I90 into compartment I85 is then free to pass around collar I91 and through th opening I66 into the pipe I35. At the junction of the pipe I36 with the pipe is! this high pressure meets the low pressure entering pipe IGI through the check valve use. How-ever, since this check valve closeson the application of pressure downward (Fig. 4) thereon inexcess of pressure upward, the fiow of high pressure downward is checked so that high pressure flows only upward along pipe 'I lI. Since exhaust valve I-2Ia. is also open in the first position, air from the upper ends of cylinders 92 is exhausted through pipes '8 which join with pipe I28 which leads to the open valve I-ZI a. The check valve I49 prevents exhaustion of air from pipe I46 so that the former plates I4 remain in elevated position. Thus the pistons of the cylinders 97 are raised under high pressure to close the jaws 39, 28.

One pair of closed jaws 39, 48 is shown in Fig. 7, with the former plate 14 elevated; actually there is of course a second pair of jaws behind the pair shown in Fig. "7, as is evident from Fig. 1. Owing to the yieldability of the tubular material, the tubular sections 238 and 2M, or the two tubes as they may be termed, when they are thus pressed by the two pairs of jaws 39, it against the plate I i, suffer their juxtaposed ends to be pressed in by the end wings Ma and their middle portions to be pressed in by the middle upstanding portion Mb, of the plate i i. The positioning of the plate I4 in the first as well as the neutral position, shown in Fig. 7, is such that the lengthwise portion Me of the plate below the level of the bases of the cutouts 15 serves merely as a support for the plate sections or wings 14a. and 14b as the tubes 238 and 2-4! do not touch that sol idsbottom portion I40.

After the application of the high pressure againstthe tubes as just mentioned, the'resultant deformed tubes are shown i-nFig. 8. The opposed pressed in areas deformed by the section Mb of plate It are shown at 24:8, and those areas deformed by the wings We are shown at 249. Thus, opposed bulges 250 are left intact in the tubes 238 and 2M at the areas between which the cut-outs T5 of the plate It were positioned. Thus, in the first position of the lever I H both pairs of the tubes 238', 2 are thus deformed to provide spaced pairs of juxtaposed bulges 250.

The lever III is then moved back to the original or neutral position, whence the secend position is identical to the neutral position. In the second position the same conditions therefore apply in the air diagram of Fig.

4 and in the various valves therein, as described above. In the second position, therefore, air is released from the bottom of cylinders 91 and from the bottom opening of the pressure changer I32 through pipe I56; thus the jaws 48 are restored to their released position as shown in Fig. 5 and the piston I88 falls to restore the various parts of the pressure changer I32 to the position shown in Fig. 25, with the switch I82 closed.

Then the lever MI is swung into third position, in which only the valves I23 and I23a are open. Hence, air from the former plate cylinders 68 is exhausted through pipes I0, I 46, 1 58, through valve I23a and pipe I63 (Fig. 4) thus permitting the rod 72 (Fig. 5) to carry the plate I4 down from between the tubes 238, 2M into the position thereof shown in Fig. 12, the speed of action of the rod 72 in descending being hastened by the spring I6. High pressure air from pipe I24 then flows through pipe I62 from the manifold i343, through valve I23, pipe 160, pipe I54 and brances I5I into the lower (Fig. 4) ends of the four-way valves M2, I43, that is, into the end port 2H5, Fig. 26, thus pushing the piston 22% to the left. Obviously, on opening exhaust valve [23a air is exhausted from the top end ports (Fig. 4) of valves I42, I43 (port 2M, Fig. 26) through branch pipes I4! and I48, pipes I23 and I46, through check valve I49 into pipe I56 and out through valve I23a. Air also enters at high pressure through the pressure changer port I85 and holds the plunger thereof down (Fig. 25). High pressure air flowing through pipe 838 is, as before mentioned, reduced to low pressure by the valve I39, and this low pressure air enters the middle compartment 2!!) of the four-way valves through pipes I3! and MI and exits through pipes IT! to the bottom of the cylinders 2?, again raising the jaws E9, but this time under low pressure, into the closed position. Since the jaws 39 and 48 in their latter position are at the maximum relative mutual closeness to each other permitted by the linkage 83 acted upon by the raised piston 96 (Fig. '7),v and owing to the thickness of the plate I4 between the tubes 238 and 2, the tubes would not be able to contact each other but for the following provision when the plate 74 is removed from between the tubes. It is therefore necessary to utilize the cylinder 59 (Figs. .5 and 7') in order to permit the jaw 48 to move on under suitable pressure toward the ,jaw 38 to provide for the space vacated by the plate TM. As shown in Fig. 4, a pipe I'IS provides, through the control valve I17 and branch pipes I1 8, 62, continuous air pressure in the cylinders 59 in all positions of the lever II I, but the valve ITI reduces the high pressure to a low pressure of, say, lbs. so that the cylinders are alwayscharged with this pressure. Hence, when the jaw 48 is moved into the closed position shown in Fig. 7, the action of the cylinder 59 on the plate 53, as previously described, will cause the upper end of the plate 53 to press against the block 9| so that, acting through the fulcrum 52, 54, the arm Thus, the additional distance which the jaw 48 is moved by the action of the cylinder 59, moves the tube 2M against the tube 238 until the juxtaposed bulges 25!] are in mutual contact as shown in Fig. 13. As the switch I 82 is now closed, as stated above, and as the pressure switch I14 is also now closed as it always is when air pressure is applied to the lower ends of the cylinders 91, it is apparent that the circuit through the motor 204 (Fig. 22) is also closed. Hence the contact disc will begin to rotate as the tube MI is moving toward the tube 238 and, after a brief interval one of the teeth 208 will press down the contactor 209 to close the primary circuit of the transformer I95 and thus pass welding current through the four pairs of electrode dies or jaws 39, 48. The timing of the switch I96 is preset to permit flow of the welding current for the desired interval which may be, preferably, about thirty seconds. Welding current of course begins to flow as soon as the opposed bulges 250 of the tubes touch each other and the contact between these bulges is at first only linear. However, as the applied pressure of the jaw 48 continues to work or build up after the flow of welding current has started and as the welded areas as well as their environments become very hotand pliable, the continued application of this pressure presses the two tubes closer together. Therefore, when the flow of welding current is stopped by opening of the switch I96 after thirty seconds, the pressure against the tubes continues to compress the pliant bulges '25s to flatten them out and bring the tubes into complete linear contact with each other as shown in Fig. 14. The positions of the tubes at, during or immediately after the welding current flow, may be considered indicated in Fig. 13, prior to final pressing of the hot tubes against each other as just described.

Finally, the lever III is again returned to neutral position, restoring the air and electrical connections previously described for this position, and the completely welded chair frame 223 is lifted from the machine. Obviously, with the tubes 23s and 2M thus formed in complete linear contact with each other in the final form, there is no space visible between the tubes when looking down on the frame from above, which is a very much desired condition for a good job.

Thus, in the manner illustrated and described, a tubular chair frame may be readily and quickly formed out of three pre-shaped parts, the two like parts 234 and the part 235. One operator is all that the machine requires, and by having the parts 23% and 235 readily at hand he may thus turn out completed tubular chair frames at a high rate.

The machine may, of course, be used with but a single pair of jaws 39, 48 instead of the four pairs shown, or, again, with only two pairs positioned side by side, as on either side of Fig. 1, the instant machine having been designed, as illustrated, for the specific purpose of welding chair frames. Moreover, the machine may be used to pre-shape and weld together any two objects or work pieces possessing the required property of being formable by the forming operation (of the plate 14) described in the first position, above.

It is of course obvious that, without first forming bulges 250 or their equivalent on the two tubes, upon being brought together into welding contact with each other the current would pass between the small high spots between the tubes and thus pit the tubes irregularly and in general form a most unattractive and undesirable weld. The machine herein described permits of a continuous method for obtaining a unitary and desirable end result, that of securely welding together two objects, such as, merely by way of example, the two tubes 238 and 2M, and finishing them oh" by bringing the two tubes into complete linear contact with each other.

Obviously, modifications in form or structure may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine comprising a frame having mounted thereon in horizontal position two pairs of complementary jaWs having one jaw of each of said pairs movable with respect to the other jaw thereof, said pairs of jaws being positioned with all of said jaws parallel with each other and with one of said pairs spaced from the other of said pairs along an imaginary line passing through the median lines of all of said jaws and at right angles to said jaws, said machine being adapted to work on two like tubular frame members and a third tubular frame member, each of said like frame members comprising a horizontal intermediate side section having an upstanding back section extending from the rear end thereof and a front leg section extending downward from the front end thereof, said third frame member comprising two parallel intermediate side sections joined at their front ends by a transverse section and having rear leg sections extending downward from their rear ends, two former plates having longitudinally spaced cut-outs therein, said frame members being adapted to be mounted in substantially upright position in said machine with said side sections of one of said two frame members positioned between one of said pairs of jaws and the said side section of the other of said two members positioned between the other of said pairs of jaws and with said side sections of said third frame member positioned adjacent and juxtaposed to said side sections of said two frame members between said pairs of jaws, means for moving said former plates into position between the jaws of each of said pairs of jaws and between said side sections positioned between said jaws of each of said pairs of jaws as aforesaid, means for forcing said movable jaws against said other jaws to clamp said side sections between each of said pairs of jaws against said former plates thereby depressing some of the opposed surfaces of the two juxtaposed side sections between each of said pairs of jaws and leaving undepressed those surfaces of said side sections positioned adjacent said cut-outs of said former plate, said undepressed surfaces constituting opposed bulges from said depressed surfaces, and means for moving said movable jaws away from said other jaws.

2. The machine set forth in claim 1, having means for moving said former plates out of position between said side sections positioned as aforesaid between said jaws of each of said pairs of jaws, means for actuating said first-named jaw moving means to move said movable jaws toward said other jaws after said former plate has been moved out of position as aforesaid, means for actuating said second-named. jaw moving means, and additional means for moving said movable jaws closer toward said other jaws thereby tending to flatten out said bulges.

3. A machine comprising a frame having two opposed jaws mounted thereon, means for moving one of said jaws a predetermined distance toward the other of said jaws, said jaws being adapted to have work pieces of material possessing a degree of yieldability such as, for example, metal tubing, positioned side by side between said jaws, means for moving said one of said jaws away from said other of said jaws to the original position of said one of said jaws, a movable member positioned between said work pieces, said member having at least one cut-out therein positioned between said work pieces when said member is positioned between said work pieces, said jaws upon application of said firstnamed jaw moving means clamping said work pieces against the opposed sides of said member thereby depressing the juxtaposed surfaces of said work pieces except for those surfaces thereof adjacent said cut-out and thereby leaving said last-named surfaces protruding from said work pieces in the manner of bulges therefrom.

4. The machine set forth in claim 3, having means for moving said member into said position between said jaws and having means for moving said member out of said position between said jaws, and additional means for moving said movable jaw an additional distance beyond said predetermined distance to accommodate for the space vacated by said member as aforesaid thereby bringing said work pieces together with said juxtaposed bulges in mutual contact.

5. A machine comprising a frame, a pair of normally spaced apart juxtaposed arms, one of said arms being pivoted to said frame, said arms having opposed jaws thereon, means for alternately swinging said pivoted arm a predetermined distance toward said other arm thereby moving the said jaw thereon toward the said jaw on said other arm and swinging the said pivoted arm the said distance away from said other arm, said jaws adapted to have work pieces of somewhat yieldable material such as, for example, two metallic tubes, positioned therebetween, a movable member adapted to be positioned between said tubes and hence between said jaws, said member having at least one cut-out therein positioned between said tubes when said tubes are positioned between said jaws and said member is positioned between said tubes, means for actuating said arm swinging means to move said pivoted arm as aforesaid, said jaws upon application of said last-named means clamping said tubes against said member thereby depressing the juxtaposed surf ces of said tubes except for those surfaces of the tubes adjacent said cut-out and "thereby leaving said last-named surfaces protruding from said tubes in the manner of bulges, means for positioning said member between said jaws as aforesaid, means for actuating said first-named means for moving said pivoted arm away from said other arm, and means for moving said member out of position between said arms.

6. The machine set forth in claim 5, having additional means for swinging said pivoted arm a distance beyond said predetermined distance toward said other arm thereby bringing said bulged tubes together with said bulges thereof in mutual contact.

7. The machine set forth in claim 5, at least one of said jaws having means for varying the position thereof on its said arm in either direction on an imaginary line through and at right angles to said jaws.

8. The machine set forth in claim 5, said arm swinging means comprising a cylinder mounted on said frame adjacent but spaced from said pivoted arm and having a piston slidable therein,

16 said piston having an elongated piston rod extending from one end of said cylinder, a bell crank having one arm thereof pivoted at one end to the end of said rod, the other arm of said bell crank comprising two parallel members, one of said parallel members being longer than the other thereof, a link pivoted at one end to said other of said pair of arms and extending past said pivoted arm, the other end of said link being pivoted to the free end of the said shorter of said parallel members, a block pivotally mounted on the free end of said longer of said parallel members and having one face thereof positioned against said pivoted arm, said cylinder having a port in said one end thereof and a fluid line connected to said port, said cylinder having a second port in the other end thereof and a second fluid line connected with said second port, and selective means for passing fluid'through said firstnamed fluid line and simultaneously exhausting said second fluid line and for passing fluid through said second fluid line and simultaneously exhausting said first-named fluid line.

9. The machine set forth in claim 5, said arm I swinging means comprising a cylinder mounted on said frame adjacent said pivoted arm and having a piston slidable therein, said piston having an elongated piston rod extending through one end of said cylinder, a bell crank having one arm thereof pivoted at one end thereof to the end of said rod, the other arm of said bell crank coi prising two parallel members, one of said parallel members being longer than the other thereof, a link pivoted at one end to said other of said pair of arms and extending past said pivoted arm, the other end of said link being pivoted to the free end of the said shorter of said parallel members, a block pivotally mounted on the free end of the said longer of said parallel members and having one face thereof positioned against said pivoted arm, said cylinder having a port in said one end thereof and a fluid line connected to said port, said cylinder having a second port in the other end thereof and a second fluid line connected with said second port, and selective means for passing fluid through said first-named fluid line and simultaneously exhausting said sec- 0nd fluid line and for passing fluid through said second fluid line and simultaneously exhausting said first-named fluid line, said means for positioning said member between said jaws as aforesaid comprising a cylinder mounted on said frame adjacent said arms and having a port in the head end thereof, a piston slidable in said lastnamed cylinder and having an elongated piston rod thereon extending from one end of said lastnamed cylinder, said member being secured to the upper end of said last-named rod, a fluid line connected with said last-named port, said lastnamed rod having such a length that when said last-named cylinder is charged with fluid said member is positioned as aforesaid between jaws, exhausting of said fluid from said lastnamed cylinder permitting said last-named piston to move to the head end of its said cylinder thereby drawing said member out of the said position thereof between said jaws, means normal 1y urging said last-named rod toward the head end of said last-named cylinder, and selective means for alternately passing fluid through said last-named fluid line and exhausting said lastnamed fluid line.

10. The machine set forth in claim 5, said arm swinging means comprising a cylinder mounted on said frame adjacent said pivoted arm and having a piston slidable therein, said piston having an elongated piston rod extending from one end of said cylinder, a bell crank having one arm thereof pivoted at one end thereof to the end of said rod, the other arm of said bell crank com prising two parallel members, one of said parallel members being longer than the other thereof, a link pivoted at one end to said other of said pair of arms and extending past said pivoted arm, the other end of said link being pivoted to the free end of the said shorter of said parallel members, a block pivotally mounted on the free end of said longer of said parallel members and having one face thereof positioned against said pivoted arm, said cylinder having a port in said one end thereof and a fluid line connected to said port, said cylinder having a second port in the other end thereof and a second fluid line connected with said second port, and selective means for alternately passingfluid through said first-named fluid line and simultaneously exhausting said second fluid line and for passing fluid through said second fluid line and simultaneously e::- hausting said first-named fluid line, additional means for swinging said pivoted arm a distance beyond said predetermined distance toward said other arm thereby bringing said bulged tubes together with said bulges thereof in mutual contact.

11. The machine set forth in claim 5, said arm swinging means comprising a cylinder mounted on said frame adjacent said pivoted arm and having a piston slidable therein, said piston having an elongated piston rod extending from one end of said cylinder, a bell crank having one arm thereof pivoted at one end thereof to the end of said rod, the other arm of said bell crank comprising two parallel members, one of said parallel members being longer than the other thereof,

link pivoted at one end to said other of said pair of arms and extending past said pivoted arm, the other end of said link being pivoted to the free end of said shorter of said parallel members, a block pivotally mounted on the free end of said longer of said parallel members and having one face thereof positioned against said pivoted arm, said cylinder having a port in said one end thereof and a fluid line connected to said port, said cylinder having a second port in the other end thereof and a second fluid line connected to said second port, and selective means for alternately passing fluid through said first-named fluid line and simultaneously exhausting said second fluid line and for passing fluid through said second fluid line and simultaneously exhausting said first-named fluid line, additional means for swinging said pivoted arm a distance beyond said predetermined distance toward said other arm thereby bringing said bul ed tubes together with said bulges thereof in mutual contact, said additional means comprising an elongated arm fulcrumed intermediate its length against said pivoted arm, one end of said elongated arm being positioned between said block and said pivoted arm, and means normally urging said one end of said elongated arm against said block and thereby through the fulcrum of said elongated arm urging said pivoted arm farther toward said other arm.

12. The machine set forth in claim 3, having a rod slidably mounted in substantially vertical position below the level of said jaws, said member being mounted on the upper end of said rod, and means for alternately raising said rod to position said member between said jaws and lowering said rod to position said member below the level of said jaws.

BERNARD STOUDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 904,540 Lachman Nov. 24, 1908 986,845 McIntyre Mar. 14, 1911 2,021,173 Clark Nov. 19, 1935 2,203,151 Iversen June 4, 1940 2,305,042 Thacker Dec. 15, 1942 

